The Udta Punjab controversy has reached the Bombay High Court now. The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film was not given a certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) till the changes suggested by them were made. Headed by Pahlaj Nihalani, the Censor Board asked for more than 89 cuts in Udta Punjab, in addition to ordering the word 'Punjab' be removed from the title of the film.

This, however, did not go down all too well with the producers of the film. Anurag Kashyap, who is producing the film along with Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Films, took to Twitter to voice his displeasure regarding the same. After a fashion, the case reached the Bombay High Court.

At the hearing in the Bombay High Court on Friday (June 10), Justice SC Dharmadhikari asked the CBFC to explain their reasons to not give Udta Punjab a certificate. "Give the film a certificate, what is the need for cuts?" he asked.

The CBFC tried clearing its stand by saying that most of Udta Punjab is in Punjabi, while the film is touted to be a Hindi one. To which, Dharmadhikari's answer was, "Are you saying you ordered cuts without understanding?"

"Have you done your job taking them (the film team) into confidence, telling them that just using expletives will not help run the film? This is not going to work. The generations to come will not be impressed with this. The generation now is taking more time to mature. Tell them to make content which is more watchable," said Dharmadhikari.

The CBFC had a problem with the content of Udta Punjab. The film tries to bring on screen the menace of drug abuse among youngsters in Punjab. The board ordered numerous cuts in the film, demanded the word 'Punjab' be removed from the title, in addition to dropping every reference of Punjab in the film whatsoever. The CBFC was asked to justify its suggestion for the cuts in the film.

"Audiences are direct and open today. People born after 1980 are very mature. So why are you worried? For action to be taken you need to provoke. Multiplex audiences are discerning. How can you decide which word is right or wrong? Film industry is not made of glass that you need to "handle with care." If you ask for so many cuts why is the point? Audience knows," said Dharmadhikari.

The bottom-line of the case, pointed out Dharmadhikari, was whether or not Udta Punjab glorifies the usage of drugs. When CBFC answered in the affirmative, they were counter-questioned as to why they hadn't banned the film in that case.

"CBFC should only certify, not censor. The public is the biggest censor. CBFC doesn't need to censor," the judge reiterated.

The final verdict in the Udta Punjab case is to be given on Monday (June 13). The film, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh in pivotal roles, is scheduled for a June 17 release.

Over the last few days, the Udta Punjab issue has seen several twists and turns, including a nasty war of words between producer Anurag Kashyap and CBFC choef Pahlaj Nihalani. While the latter claimed that the Udta Punjab makers had taken money from Aam Aadmi Party to show Shiromoni Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP-led Punjab in a poor light, the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association held a press conference to demand an apology from Nihalani for the comment.

While the battle rages on, it is yet to be seen whether Udta Punjab receives a certificate and is able to be released on its scheduled date.

Maybe it is high time we just closed down CBFC.Or remind it, like a judge did today, that it is supposed to be certification, not censorship.If you want, give a film an A certificate.Leave it at that. No cutting of scenes.

Going South wrote:Censor board can put a stop and put the movie on hold till courts think otherwise. They are the first line of defense on terror propaganda or movies or that hurt religious sentiments (?)

Nice in theory but then you could also get into this Udta Punjab type situation.

I say the director of udta Punjab has gone overboard on drugs usage and vulgarity on this movie. It sure shows state of Punjab in a very bad light. A person from south would now think twice if he got plans to visit Punjab far from truth? Bad for tourism. Elected governments would topple if it cause unrest & promote violence. You can't protest this movie, but protect it as if it's national treasure not national trash? Is India free world like the west when it comes to freedom of expression? I have to say no, as both government and society need to go a long way before doors are fully open.

If movie is showing truth of Punjab (and there's absolutely no doubt drugs are widespread amongst youth in the state), what's wrong?Rather than do window-dressing and censor the truth, govt should work on fixing the underlying problem, no?

Every state of India has drug problem. If you rank all states of India I don't think Punjab rank #1 but might not be in top 10, not ahead of Maharashtra or UP for sure.

Problem is there. But not as much as the movie trying to say. When you add fiction to 1% fact it would be mud slinging with ulterior motive. Is the movie financed by Punjab opposition party? Is it congress party backed?

Till Bombay velvet he is sane but after it Anurag completely lost his marbles and embraced lunacy. Why is the director trying to go overboard trying to add fiction to facts? What is his goal? Is it just for making money or something else? Why put name "Punjab" in the title? Why not generalize the concept for whole India instead of just Punjab?

Does he have plans for next movie as "udta Uttar Pradesh" or "udta Bihar" ??? No? Why Punjab? If his intentions are sincere why all the BS in media & cheap publicity gimmicks? I have no sympathy on those who play on emotions to make money out of serious issues that plague humanity be it drugs or terrorists. Everyone including government and public alike should reject this movie to teach a lesson just like ramgopal Varma to join in the dustbins of Bollywood.

Going South wrote:Every state of India has drug problem. If you rank all states of India I don't think Punjab rank #1 but might not be in top 10, not ahead of Maharashtra or UP for sure.

Not sure how familiar you are with the drug problem in Punjab but speak to families who live in Punjab, they will tell you.Punjab was once the No.1 grain bowl of India, if you remember.Very prosperous state at the time.Today, it's in tatters. I visited a few years ago - I was shocked to see the condition of the state. More so, the people.I know people who live there, they are scared for their youngsters.Most of them point to drugs being brought from across the border, quite freely. And distributed quite freely too.

Here's a recent article that might help in understanding the scale of the problem more.

Did the director showed guts to say that it's cross border terrorism as in its pakistani government that promote drugs in Punjab? No? Then he had no right to make a film that can distort ground reality and points finger else where for political mileage in a cheap & disgusting way.

On another note, someone else like me pointed a finger at Bombay court on cutting that single scene of urination. He got a point here.

Going South wrote:Did the director showed guts to say that it's cross border terrorism as in its pakistani government that promote drugs in Punjab? No? Then he had no right to make a film that can distort ground reality and points finger else where for political mileage in a cheap & disgusting way.

On another note, someone else like me pointed a finger at Bombay court on cutting that single scene of urination. He got a point here.

Since I haven't seen the film, or read any review, I cannot comment on whether the director has shown cross border drug supply. In fact, I cannot comment on the film at all. All I can say is, any attempt to stifle/curtail a creative piece of work should be taken with great caution and restraint.

As for the urination scene, I couldn't care less. Come on, people are adults - everyone pees.

I am totally with you on idiocy of cutting pissing scene. Delhi belly movie passed sensors with a lot of shit, but piss on piss? Nihalani should go. He is no saint either as he himself made even vulgar/obscene movies earlier why act now as all holy thou? Kick his ass out indeed!

Entire movie got leaked on Internet before its release. The astonishing thing is that the leaked print has "for censorship" watermark on it. Looks like angry censor board that got pulled pants by courts exacted revenge on this movie? Oh man!

I would rather buy kishore/lata 1200 duets for 450 than some Udta subject film, so I can listen in my car, smart TV (USB slot )and my FM radio Equipped with USB slotJames bond latest movie or latest Gujarati comedy play on Pendrive you can buy from some shop in Gujarat

I hand over blank 64GB pendrive to some shop and for 30 rupees they will Download Sultan film same day whenever its release in Pakistan , no one knows but ALL BRAND NEW MOVIE RELEASE (PRIVATELY) IN PAKISTAN FIRST than in Indian theater.

Aug.18 WI were 61 All out:Caddick took 4 wickets in one over, TWO day test.

A cable television operator here allegedly aired a ‘censor copy’ of ‘Udta Punjab,’ ahead of its release in cinema theatres.

Collector P. Jawahar said, “We have taken cognisance of the complaint that surfaced on social media and we will initiate action against the cable operator under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.”

Watermark

According to sources, a local cable channel Shakthi TV reportedly telecast the full film through its network and what is worse, the film carried the watermark of ‘For Censor’. The issue came to the fore with actor Surya and several others raising it on the social media.

Tweet

Mr. Surya tweeted along with a picture on Thursday: “Fight against Piracy!!Spread awareness that it's a crime!! Yet to release film”.

As per rule 6 (6) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules 2006, no cable operator shall carry or include in his cable service any television broadcast or channel, which has not been registered by the Centre, for viewing within the territory of India.

Drug smuggling from Muslim country in India possible from Bangladesh border.No wonder why Indian officer involves in Smuggling and supports the Smuggler because they get 10 percentage or more commission

A cable television operator here allegedly aired a ‘censor copy’ of ‘Udta Punjab,’ ahead of its release in cinema theatres.

Collector P. Jawahar said, “We have taken cognisance of the complaint that surfaced on social media and we will initiate action against the cable operator under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.”

Watermark

According to sources, a local cable channel Shakthi TV reportedly telecast the full film through its network and what is worse, the film carried the watermark of ‘For Censor’. The issue came to the fore with actor Surya and several others raising it on the social media.

Tweet

Mr. Surya tweeted along with a picture on Thursday: “Fight against Piracy!!Spread awareness that it's a crime!! Yet to release film”.

As per rule 6 (6) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules 2006, no cable operator shall carry or include in his cable service any television broadcast or channel, which has not been registered by the Centre, for viewing within the territory of India.

--thehindu

forget about cable operatorFake money can do lots of other things with easefor real 35000 indian rupees you can buy 100,000 Fake rupees.New Technology not see the differences more.i lived in small city of Gujrat state and in shopping center they DO NOT ACCEPT 1000 RUPEES AND 500 RUPEES BILL without recording number, most time they not accepts and demand for 100 rupees bill.[ those are not fake ]

everyday 100000 fake currency enter in indian market, more than Dbl of 100000 caught on Bangladesh and Pakistan border but no one yet reaches from where they produce it.

Aug.18 WI were 61 All out:Caddick took 4 wickets in one over, TWO day test.